Abstract:
An energizable design image portion (203) of a provided design pattern is printed on a provided substrate (201) using a functional ink comprised of at least one energy emissive material. A passive design image portion (202) of that design pattern is then also printed on that substrate using at least one graphic arts ink. In a preferred embodiment this apparatus may further comprise electrically conductive electrodes (204) on the substrate to permit selective energization of the energy emissive material to thereby induce illumination of the energizable design image portion of the design pattern.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus for radio frequency (RF) communication between a radio frequency identification (RFID) device 110 and RFID tags 160 for a conveyer system 700 are disclosed. An RFID device 110 is positioned in proximity of the conveyor system, with at least one conductive surface 120, 130 coupled to the RFID device. The conveyer system 700 is configured to transport articles 610 with at least one or more of the articles having one or more associated RFID tags 160. The conveyer system 700 is operated so articles 610are brought in contact with the at least one conductive surface 12, 130, with the RFID device, the at least one conductive surface and one or more of the associated RFID tags 160 are capacitively coupled allowing RF signals to be communicated between RFID device and the one or more associated RFID tags and enabling data to be electronically read from the associated RFID tags.
Abstract:
A radio frequency identification system (20) comprising a radio reader circuit (30) operable to emit a radio frequency carrier signal (60) modulated with a subcarrier, which has a subcarrier modulation rate. The radio frequency identification tag circuit (70) is operable to extract the subcarrier from the emitted radio frequency carrier signal (60) and the extracted subcarrier then functions as a clock, which operates to assist in the transfer of a modulated backscattered signal (66) to the radio frequency identification reader circuit (70). The radio frequency identification reader circuit (70) decodes the modulated backscattered signal (66) and the data encoded in the radio frequency identification tag circuit (70) is obtained.
Abstract:
An identifier of choice is correlated (102) with a predetermined task that potentially comprises a plurality of discrete human-enabled events. At least some of these discrete human-enabled events are then associated (104) with a corresponding capacitively-coupled radio frequency identification tag and the identifier then used (105) to monitor effectuation of the predetermined task. By one approach this monitoring comprises, at least in part, monitoring human-based task effectuation events via the capacitively-coupled radio frequency identification tags.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus for radio frequency (RF) communication between a radio frequency identification (RFID) device 110 and RFID tags 160 for a conveyer system 700 are disclosed. An RFID device 110 is positioned in proximity of the conveyor system, with at least one conductive surface 120, 130 coupled to the RFID device. The conveyer system 700 is configured to transport articles 610 with at least one or more of the articles having one or more associated RFID tags 160. The conveyer system 700 is operated so articles 610are brought in contact with the at least one conductive surface 12, 130, with the RFID device, the at least one conductive surface and one or more of the associated RFID tags 160 are capacitively coupled allowing RF signals to be communicated between RFID device and the one or more associated RFID tags and enabling data to be electronically read from the associated RFID tags.
Abstract:
Apparatus and methods for manufacturing and reading the apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes: a storage medium (610) comprising a first material; and a printed electronic circuit (104) comprising a first portion (206) coupled to the storage medium, wherein the first portion is randomly altered to generate a secret code.
Abstract:
A method and system for facilitating radio frequency (RF) communication between a radio frequency identification (RFID) device (110) and RFID tags (160) is disclosed. The method may include associating one or more RFID tags (160) to one or more containers (720) that comprise a container volume, wherein the RF signal communication between the RFID device and one or more of the RFID tags is at least partially obstructed, and integrating at least one conductive surface (590, 595) into the container volume, wherein if the RFID device is coupled to at least one of the conductive surfaces and energized, the RFID device, the at least one conductive surface and one or more of the RFID tags are capacitively coupled allowing RF signals to be communicated between RFID device and the one or more RFID tags in the container volume without being obstructed.
Abstract:
Apparatus and methods for manufacturing and reading the apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes: a storage medium (610) comprising a first material and an impression generated in the first material; and a printed electronic circuit (104) coupled to the storage medium, the printed electronic circuit comprising a first portion (206) that is positioned adjacent to the impression, wherein the impression alters the first portion to generate a secret code.